The murder of George Floyd and the developments since his death, both at the national and local level have prompted me to think about my own American experience and the importance of speaking out to counter misguided narratives. I share this with the intention to add to the conversation and in no way taking the spotlight off what is the primary issue we are dealing with today, namely, racism and police brutality against members of the Black community.
While I will never know what it’s like to walk in the shoes of a black man, I believe my own personal experience allows me to empathize with the plight of the Black community. I am convinced that it is in times like these, here and now, where the need for understanding and learning more about our shared American experience and history must take place. After arriving in Chicago from Mexico in the early 90s at the age of 14, I skipped a year of school to work full-time with my father as a carpenter’s apprentice, rehabbing vacant and fire-damaged homes on the south and west sides of Chicago.
When I returned to school, my new world included people from different races, ethnicities, and nationalities. While learning English quickly was a requirement, the need to further understand the history of race relations in America, and in the city of Chicago became increasingly apparent. Beyond the typical racial stereotypes and talks about intermittent flare ups between groups from different neighborhoods, I was also surprised to learn that strife between our Puerto Rican and Mexican communities had occurred in the not too distant past.
After graduating from high school, I immediately started a family and dedicated most of my time and effort to working on the family business. Through my experience as a business owner, I have developed many long-lasting relationships and I have worked with a diverse group of clients. I have also been fortunate enough to have the guidance and support of both Black and Latino mentors. Their insights and generosity have given me a much deeper understanding of the nuances, challenges, and opportunities that a multi-racial and multi-ethnic city like Chicago provides.
For many non-Latinos it may come as a surprise that we come from over 20 different Latin American countries and that most of us are not white but indigenous, mixed race, and Afro-Latino. Or that Latinos in the southwest have been here since before the American Revolutionary War. Also in the southwest, Mexicans attended segregated schools and had to put up with many of the same indignities as Blacks in the south including segregated public facilities and signs on businesses that read “ No dogs, Negros or Mexicans allowed.” For many younger Latinos it may also come as a surprise that most of the advancements on civil and voting rights were spearheaded and disproportionately paid for in blood and treasure by our Black brothers and sisters. At the same time, many of us may be unaware of the joint efforts by Black and Latino elected officials, religious and civic leaders and business owners to achieve more economic parity as a way to alleviate some of the social and public health inequities that have brought us to where we are today.
It is refreshing, encouraging, and empowering to see so many people, young and old, of all races and ethnicities coming together in unity and solidarity demanding respect, dignity, and full citizenship for all of us. I did not expect any less from the community at large, who understands that the outcome of police reform measures, and changes to our current economic and public health models will benefit not only our Black, Brown, Asian and Native communities ,but the country as whole.
– Ivan Solis, HACIA Board PresidentPresident of Solis Construction Inc.
